Tag Archives: DRIFF

My day of happenings began at brew wizards for a knowledge café with Brian Rideout. Our discussion centred around my WordPress theme ‘ArtHive’ for eoii.org that had some glitches with changing the Menu font colour. After some source code investigation and genius work by Brian – I now have light blue Menu colours. We also had a simple analysis of the Google Analytics for eoii.org, and Brian explain some of the readings to me.

In the evening, it was to be DRIFF at Regent Theatre with my friends Mo, Dezz and Kezzy for a night of high jinx; and because the Universe hatches its generous schemes at times, if we got to the Regent Theatre for 5pm – we could part take in the VIP pre screening. We were down for that.

6:00 pm – Red carpet and photo session

FILM SCREENINGS | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Pollyanna | Toronto, ON | Directed By: Roman Gubin | 02:23 mins | Short Film
A young girl’s internal struggle is expressed through a contemporary dance.

Erika | Toronto, ON | Directed By: Hanna Jovin | 17:40 mins | Student Film
Set in 1940s Nazi occupied Bosnia, an unlikely friendship forms between two young girls on opposite sides of the war.

The Meaning of Life | Oakville, ON | Directed By: Cat Hostick | 91:22 mins | Feature Film
A struggling musician gets a temporary job as a therapeutic clown, working to help a 9-year old leukemia patient get past her illness through music.

Rick Kerr and I

Random people on balcony

DRIFF Official

DEZZ & Mo looking non-chalant on balcony

Bob Chap,man and Roger Anderson

Me, Mo and Dezz

Me, Mo and Dezz

Mo, Derek and Dezz

Outside Regent Theatre red carpet

DRIFF Organizers

DRIFF Ticket

DRIFF’s People’s Choice Award Ballot. Kezzy gave me hers before she left. I forgot to hand them in. Pollyanna was the better movie, because it was a cool short film, a happening of a girl with paralysis getting out of wheelchjair to do contemporary dance in a semi busy train terminal, than sitting back in her wheelchair.

A View From The Balcony

Mo, Dezz and arrived at 5:05pm. We were the first on the balcony and first to treat ourselves to the Cater food.

On the balcony, I watched an Oshawa Count Counts promotional trailer. I saw a quick clip of me being a Toronto Para Pan Am Games torch bearer and lighting cauldron at Lakeview Park (1:13 mark).

After the shows, we all caught the DRIFF, we had to sneeze and make are merry ways home, yet I decided I would cruise downtown and do karaoke at Stag’s head.

As I stood contemplating on a pole, outside the Regent Theatre, my sneaky friend, Brad, pranced into the screen. I told him about DRIFF and mini miracle, Shannon and myself are trying to forge with Feelgood Natural and Backdoor Mission. Brad told me he thought his friend ‘Jesse’ was playing at The Atria tonight. He thought he might like to go, but wasn’t sure if Jesse was playing. I told Brad I would check it out (it wasn’t far from where we we’re too.) Brad jettison to make a phone call and I went to Atria.

At The Atria, there was differently a show going to happen. I ask the bartender if there were a “Jesse” playing, it took me 3 tries to explain my request, but I did finally get a “Jesse” was playing and he was tall with short hair. By that time my friend Naomi came by for a warm greeting. I texted Brad that “Jesse was playing, he was tall and had short hair.” Brad texted back that his friend ‘Jesse’ was a girl, and that she was playing a show tonight, but was in Peterborough. LOL. I left Atria and than walk to Stag’s head.

At the Stag’s head I got lots of compliments and looks. It was the outfit. “Style is the Man.” I choose to sing, The Fray – How to Save A Life. As I sang halfway though the song, my buddy Curtis came near waving a lit lighter in the air. It was a special song. I needed some air after that one. I stood outside Stag’s head and greeted a few friends till, Rick strolled in and said, “Man you know everybody.” I smiled.

Thursday, September 21, 2017 – Wegrowfood, had a community potluck and drum circle at Alexandria Bounty Community Garden today. I had just recently joined the Alexandria Bounty Community Garden Facebook group after learning about it from Pepper Patch Community Garden Facebook group. I mentioned that i would bring my jembe and some beet flavored potato chips. i didn’t know what to expect, it would be my first time to Alexandria Bounty and I was getting there by myself. Being a wayfarer, I revel in these happenings. With faith in community – I knew I be looked after.

As I arrived, my friends, Sonya and Daniel were arriving too. (Synchronicity is like a game for me these days.) I got acquainted with most everybody and everybody was caring and down to earth. Melody, who I conversed with on Alexandria Bounty’s Facebook page, got me a chair. Daniel helped me by getting a plate filled with food for me. As I sat eating, I noticed a golden retriever. She felt like an old soul. I wanted to pet her and say “Hi”.

During the drum circle, this dog (Izzy) interrupted my playing to be petted. When I stopped petting her to play with the drum circle, he tuck his head under my left forearm or put his paw up to my left hand or lick me. Melody told her to lay down. I still gave her a few gentle scratches on her forehead.

The night ended with, walking with Daniel and holding Sonya’s hand to the sidewalk, so I got there safely. I waited for the 401 Simcoe DRT to head downtown.

———————————

Departing the 401 at Centre St. and King St., I decided to go to Coffee Culture. I wasn’t sure if I was going to order anything, I just wanted a place to chill and collect my thoughts. There was a stack of Oshawa This Week papers. I grabed one and sat down. The front page headline got me excited about community and education: “DURHAM HIGH SCHOOLS SOON TO BECOME A ‘HUB’ OF ACTIVITY IN EVENINGS, WEEKENDS.” I took out my pink hilighter because I knew this was gonna be good.

Through partnerships with DDSB, like YMCA, Abilities Centre, Girls Inc., and Durham Region Health Department, a “youth hub” is going to be built into schools this year: Henry Street High School, Ajax High School, Brock High School and G.I. Roberts C.V.I.

These projects, is about kids hanging out at school in evenings, taking part in community partner activities, connecting community and being a “positive social development.”

I feel this was what The Vault and 3V Co-op Marketplace strived to be, but more gear to entrepreneurial artists and community animators. And I feel stronger than ever that this kinda business model for the arts community, to have a hub – a living space, can root itself into downtown and transform it through community and education.

I would meet my friend Chrissy at Coffee Culture. It was a random happening. I told her about what I read. She had to go and meet someone for business. I checked my smartphone for Facebook updates and learnt my buddy Carmen was performing open mic at Gravity Lounge.

It was like 8:30pm, open mic starts at 10pm, so had some time to move on from Coffee Culture and do something else till it was 10pm.

I went to 15 Sports and Grill. I thought I would order a coke, watch Blue Jays game and than pop into Gravity Lounge to show my support for my friends performing at open mic. Instead I was given a Tedley tea with a small cup of cream and container of packages of sugars on the side. Lol.

I stayed till Jays game was over. It was 9:45pm. I got to Gravity Lounge at 9:50pm. I saw Carmen, gave her a hug, wished her a good show, told her to say “Hi” to Paul for me, and that I had to go home to rest. Friday, I got a Knowledge Cafe with Brian at Brew Wizards for noonish and than a date with 3 friends to Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) at Regent Theatre. And, I need to shave and shower. Lol.

Okay, I’m going to go shave and shower (at least try too), and than its “Bed Time for Pedro.”.

The Durham Region Film Festival (DRIFF) began in 2015 as a locally focused event, held at two distinct venues to showcase the remarkable world of films and filmmaking. Taking full advantage of Durham’s cultural landscape, it was held at the elegant Regent Theatre and extraordinary Docville Movie Set, offering the magical experience of film both on screen and behind the scenes. Dedicated to the promotion and celebration of emerging and established filmmakers, the world of cinema and talented artists, came together at this inaugural event, to elevate Durham’s strong and growing film community.

The evening of Friday, September 15, I found out about DRIFF though Derek Giberson, as a post in Facebook feed. DRIFF will be happening at:

Experience fantastic independent film-making from across Canada and around the world right here in the Durham Region!

When 6 months of planning finally becomes really really real: so excited to be at volunteer orientation night for the 2017 Durham Region International Film Festival!! 4 days away to this amazing weeklong festival of independent film screened across the region! Check out www.driff.ca for more more more
#driff
#nottiff
#aftertiff
#catchthedriff

I am stoke about this news. Friday, Septembeer 22, was a week away. I went to the Regent Theatre web page, navigated to find where to buy tickets. I was kinda in a hurry to do so, thinking an great happening like this will sellout easily. I was stocked that the price of a “Red Carpet” is $12. I bought 4, because wanted to bring 3 friends.

FILM SCREENINGS | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Pollyanna | Toronto, ON | Directed By: Roman Gubin | 02:23 mins | Short Film
A young girl’s internal struggle is expressed through a contemporary dance.

Erika | Toronto, ON | Directed By: Hanna Jovin | 17:40 mins | Student Film
Set in 1940s Nazi occupied Bosnia, an unlikely friendship forms between two young girls on opposite sides of the war.

The Meaning of Life | Oakville, ON | Directed By: Cat Hostick | 91:22 mins | Feature Film
A struggling musician gets a temporary job as a therapeutic clown, working to help a 9-year old leukemia patient get past her illness through music.

I have been to Regent Theatre a couple times, located at 50 King Street. its a classy theatre, it first open on October 16, 1919. None of my friends know about my scheme to invite 3 of them, lol. It’s gonna be a great happening.

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